Clean energy developer Community Energy has announced the approval for a 70MW solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) in Adams County, Pennsylvania to power government facilities in Philadelphia.
Image: Community Energy receives approval for PPA. Photo: Courtesy of American Public Power Association on Unsplash.
The solar farm, Adams Solar is capable of producing sufficient electricity to power 22% of Philadelphia government buildings by 2020.
The project is expected to contribute to the City’s clean energy goal of sourcing 100% of its electricity from renewables by 2030.
Philadelphia Energy Authority, an independent city agency will receive 100% of the electricity generated by the Adams Solar under a 20-year contract.
The project is expected to generate 156,000MWh of energy in the first year of operation and reduce more than 4 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions over the life of the project.
Community Energy CEO and co-founder Brent Alderfer said: “The Philadelphia solar commitment demonstrates impressive and much-needed leadership on climate change in Pennsylvania,”
“As the costs of climate change go up, Philadelphia is showing the way for municipalities to secure reliable, long-term solar power to decarbonize and head off irreversible climate damage.”
Community Energy says an Economic Opportunity Plan (EOP) is made to incorporate minority, women and disabled-person owned businesses into the Adams Solar project. Besides, job fairs for sub-contractors and the workforce are to be held in both Philadelphia and Adams County.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said: “This project not only helps Philadelphia demonstrate leadership on climate action, but it also makes good economic sense and helps to boost regional job growth in the renewable energy sector.
“We thank Councilwoman Reynolds Brown, the Philadelphia Energy Authority, and Community Energy, Inc. for their partnership in creating this win-win deal for Philadelphians.”
Community Energy claims to have partnered with utilities, Fortune 500 companies and communities to develop more than a gigawatt of solar and wind generation.